Understanding Terrorism
Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues
6th Edition
Published on 5. December 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
552 pages
978-1-5063-8581-5 (ISBN)
Description
"[Gus Martin] has expertly curated the most important topics and sources in the field and put them together in an ideal manner to assist students in understanding the breadth and complexity of modern-day terrorism. Coupled with the instructor and student resources, this text is a perfect introduction to the field."
-Ryan Vogel, Director of National Security Studies, Utah Valley University
Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues offers a multidisciplinary, comprehensive exploration of domestic and international terrorism that helps students develop the knowledge and skills needed to critically assess the expressions and underlying causes of terrorism.
The Sixth Edition has been updated with new information on terrorist attacks and organizations, as well as key topics such as failed states, the lone-wolf model, state terrorism, human rights violations, and cyberterrorism. Discussion of policies and counterterrorism has been augmented to help students understand the challenges, perspectives, and issues relevant to terrorism today.
Give your students the SAGE edge!
SAGE edge offers a robust online environment featuring an impressive array of free tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students on the cutting edge of teaching and learning.
-Ryan Vogel, Director of National Security Studies, Utah Valley University
Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues offers a multidisciplinary, comprehensive exploration of domestic and international terrorism that helps students develop the knowledge and skills needed to critically assess the expressions and underlying causes of terrorism.
The Sixth Edition has been updated with new information on terrorist attacks and organizations, as well as key topics such as failed states, the lone-wolf model, state terrorism, human rights violations, and cyberterrorism. Discussion of policies and counterterrorism has been augmented to help students understand the challenges, perspectives, and issues relevant to terrorism today.
Give your students the SAGE edge!
SAGE edge offers a robust online environment featuring an impressive array of free tools and resources for review, study, and further exploration, keeping both instructors and students on the cutting edge of teaching and learning.
Reviews / Votes
"Highly recommend. It is student friendly and easily taught." -- John Comiskey "[Gus Martin] has expertly curated the most important topics and sources in the field and put them together in an ideal manner to assist students in understanding the breadth and complexity of modern-day terrorism. Coupled with the instructor and student resources, this text is a perfect introduction to the field." -- Ryan Vogel "Comprehensive and broad and covers most of the material needed for a class on terrorism. I recommend it." -- Ibrahim Zabad "The latest edition of Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues by Gus Martin is a well-thought-out, detailed, scholarly work that is a must-read for students engaged in terrorism studies-either in the undergraduate or graduate level. Each chapter covers a specific topic key to understanding the terrorist threat, both domestic and international. The text has a wealth of student and instructor resources to enhance the learning experience." -- Daniel Cutrer "This is a comprehensive textbook designed for students with no background on the subject and told through a voice that is both authoritative and easy to understand." -- Michael Loadenthal "A very complete introductory text that focuses on the history and modern expressions of violent extremism. It pays special attention to countering terrorism on the homeland and has a series of pedagogical features that make it very well suited for the undergraduate classroom." -- Neil Shortland "This is a strong text on terrorism, including actors, motivations, and events. It covers counterterrorism and future trends that illustrate to the student not only the threat but also ways to combat the threat. The writing is strong, the examples are relevant, and most topics are covered." -- Paul Byrd "This is a very interesting work and offers many useful material for the classroom. Students should be able to have a well-rounded educational experience and use, or in some cases develop, critical thinking skills. The text has may tools available to help the instructor in the classroom in presenting and testing the material the student is expected to learn." -- Andy F. NazarioMore details
Edition
6th Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 203 mm
Weight
978 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5063-8581-5 (9781506385815)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Book
02/2015
5th Edition
SAGE Publications Inc
€124.79
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Clarence Augustus "Gus" Martin is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Criminal Justice Administration at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he teaches courses on criminal law, terrorism and extremism, and the criminal justice system. He served as the founding Chair of the department and as the founding Director of the School of Public Service and Justice. He also served as Associate Vice President for Human Resources Management, Acting Associate Dean of the College of Business Administration and Public Policy, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, and Chair of the Department of Public Administration. He began his academic career as a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, where he was an Administration of Justice professor. His current research and professional interests are terrorism and extremism, homeland security, and the administration of justice.
Dr. Martin is author of several books on the subjects of terrorism and homeland security, including Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues (SAGE Publications, 2025); Terrorism and WMDs: Awareness and Response, Third Edition (with John Pichtel, CRC Press, 2025); Understanding Homeland Security (SAGE Publications, 2024); The Handbook of Homeland Security (with Scott Romaniuk and Martin Scott Catino; Routledge, 2023); Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies (SAGE Publications, 2022); Terrorism: An International Perspective (with Fynnwin Prager; SAGE Publications, 2019); The SAGE Encyclopedia of Terrorism, Second Edition (SAGE Publications, 2011); Terrorism and Homeland Security (SAGE, 2011); and The New Era of Terrorism: Selected Readings (SAGE Publications, 2004). He is also author of Juvenile Justice: Process and Systems (SAGE Publications, 2005).
Prior to joining academia, Dr. Martin served as Managing Attorney for the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, where he was also director of a program created under a federal consent decree to desegregate public and assisted housing. He was also Special Counsel to the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands on the island of St. Thomas. As Special Counsel, he occupied a personal and confidential position in the central office of the Department of Justice; sat as hearing officer for disciplinary hearings and departmental grievances; served as chair of the Drug Policy Committee; served as liaison to the intergovernmental Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee as well as to the Narcotics Strike Force; and provided daily legal and policy advice to the Attorney General. Prior to serving as Special Counsel, he was a "floor" Legislative Assistant to Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York. As Legislative Assistant, he researched, evaluated and drafted legislation in areas of foreign policy, foreign aid, human rights, housing, education, social services, and poverty; he also drafted House floor statements, Congressional Record inserts, press releases, and news articles; and he composed speeches, briefing materials, and legislative correspondence.
Dr. Martin received his A.B. degree from Harvard College, J.D. from Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, and Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Martin is author of several books on the subjects of terrorism and homeland security, including Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues (SAGE Publications, 2025); Terrorism and WMDs: Awareness and Response, Third Edition (with John Pichtel, CRC Press, 2025); Understanding Homeland Security (SAGE Publications, 2024); The Handbook of Homeland Security (with Scott Romaniuk and Martin Scott Catino; Routledge, 2023); Essentials of Terrorism: Concepts and Controversies (SAGE Publications, 2022); Terrorism: An International Perspective (with Fynnwin Prager; SAGE Publications, 2019); The SAGE Encyclopedia of Terrorism, Second Edition (SAGE Publications, 2011); Terrorism and Homeland Security (SAGE, 2011); and The New Era of Terrorism: Selected Readings (SAGE Publications, 2004). He is also author of Juvenile Justice: Process and Systems (SAGE Publications, 2005).
Prior to joining academia, Dr. Martin served as Managing Attorney for the Fair Housing Partnership of Greater Pittsburgh, where he was also director of a program created under a federal consent decree to desegregate public and assisted housing. He was also Special Counsel to the Attorney General of the U.S. Virgin Islands on the island of St. Thomas. As Special Counsel, he occupied a personal and confidential position in the central office of the Department of Justice; sat as hearing officer for disciplinary hearings and departmental grievances; served as chair of the Drug Policy Committee; served as liaison to the intergovernmental Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee as well as to the Narcotics Strike Force; and provided daily legal and policy advice to the Attorney General. Prior to serving as Special Counsel, he was a "floor" Legislative Assistant to Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York. As Legislative Assistant, he researched, evaluated and drafted legislation in areas of foreign policy, foreign aid, human rights, housing, education, social services, and poverty; he also drafted House floor statements, Congressional Record inserts, press releases, and news articles; and he composed speeches, briefing materials, and legislative correspondence.
Dr. Martin received his A.B. degree from Harvard College, J.D. from Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, and Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.
Content
Timeline: Two Thousand Years of Terror
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Introduction and Rationale
Part I. Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
1. Terrorism: First Impressions
First Considerations
Conceptual Considerations: Understanding Political Violence
The Past as Prologue: Historical Perspectives on Terrorism
Terrorism and Criminal Skill: Three Cases From the Modern Era
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Total War
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
2. The Nature of the Beast: Defining Terrorism
Understanding Extremism: The Foundation of Terrorism
Defining Terrorism: An Ongoing Debate
A Definitional Problem: Perspectives on Terrorism
The Political Violence Matrix
Case in Point: The Orlando Mass Shooting- An Act of Terrorism and a Hate Crime
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Cold War Revolutionaries
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
3. Beginnings: The Causes of Terrorism
Political Violence as Strategic Choice
Political Violence as the Fruit of Injustice
Moral Justifications for Political Violence
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Bloody Sunday and Black September
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
Part II. The Terrorists
4. Terror From Above: Terrorism by the State
The State as Terrorist: A State Terrorism Paradigm
Violence Abroad: Terrorism as Foreign Policy
Violence at Home: Terrorism as Domestic Policy
The Problem of Accountability: Monitoring State Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Authoritarianism and Democracy
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
5. Terror From Below: Terrorism by Dissidents
The Rebel as Terrorist: A Dissident Terrorism Paradigm
Warring Against the State: Antistate Dissident Terrorism
Warring Against a People: Communal Terrorism
Operational Shifts: Dissidents and the New Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: The Tamil Tigers
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
6. Violence in the Name of the Faith: Religious Terrorism
Primary and Secondary Motives: The Idiosyncratic Quality of Religious Terrorism
Historical Cases in Point: Fighting, Dying, and Killing in the Name of the Faith
State-Sponsored Religious Terrorism in the Modern Era
Dissident Religious Terrorism in the Modern Era
The Future of Religious Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: The One True Faith
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
7. Violent Ideologies: Terrorism From the Left and Right
Reactionaries and Radicals: The Classical Ideological Continuum
Left-Wing Ideologies and Activism
Class Struggle and National Liberation: The Terrorist Left
Right-Wing Activism and Extremism
Race and Order: The Terrorist Right
Violent Ideologies in the New Era of Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box 7.1: Young Nationalist Idealists
Discussion Box 7.2: Order From Chaos 194 On Your Own
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
8. Terrorist Spillovers: International Terrorism
Defining International Terrorism
Globalized Revolution: Reasons for International Terrorism
Globalized Solidarity: International Terrorist Networks
The International Dimension of the New Terrorism
Postscript: The "Stateless Revolutionaries"
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Understanding Terrorist "Spillovers": Middle Eastern and North African Spillovers in Europe
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
9. Emerging Terrorist Environments: Gender-Selective Political Violence and Criminal Dissident Terrorism
Culture and Conflict: Gender-Selected Victims of Terrorist Violence
Protecting the Enterprise: Criminal Dissident Terrorism
A Global Problem: Regional Cases of Criminal Dissident Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Political Violence Against Women: Gender Communal Terrorism?
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
Part III. The Terrorist Trade and Counterterrorism
10. Tools of the Trade: Tactics and Targets of Terrorists
The Purpose: Terrorist Objectives
The Means: Terrorist Methods
The Focus: Terrorist Targets
The Outcome: Is Terrorism Effective?
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Attacks Against the U.S. Marine and French Paratrooper Headquarters in Beirut
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
11. The Information Battleground: Terrorist Violence and the Role of the Media
Two Perspectives: The Media and Governments
Understanding the Role of the Media
A New Battleground: The War for the Information High Ground
The Public's Right to Know: Regulating the Media
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Freedom of Reporting and Security Issues
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
12. The American Case: Terrorism in the United States
An Introduction to the American Case
Background to Terrorism: Left-Wing Activism and Ideological Extremism in America
Left-Wing Terrorism in the United States
Background to Terrorism: Right-Wing Activism and Ideological Extremism in America
Right-Wing Terrorism in the United States
International Terrorism in the United States
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Domestic Terrorism in the American Context
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
Part IV. Securing the Homeland
13. Counterterrorism: The Options
Responding to Terror: The Scope of Options
Warlike Operations: Counterterrorism and the Use of Force
Operations Other Than War: Repressive Options
Operations Other Than War: Conciliatory Options
Applying the Rule of Law: Legalistic Options
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: The Utility of Elite Counterterrorist Units
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
14. A New Era: Homeland Security
Homeland Security in Perspective
The American Case: Homeland Security in the United States
Civil Liberties and Securing the Homeland
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: After the Next 9/11
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
15. What Next? The Future of Terrorism
An Overview of Near-Term Projections
The Future of Terrorism: Terrorist Environments in the 21st Century
The Future of Terrorism: New Threats
Controlling Terrorism: Ending Terrorist Campaigns and New Challenges
Final Considerations: Terrorism in the United States
Chapter Summary
A Final Thought
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Toward Big Brother?
On Your Own
Recommended Readings
Appendix A: Map References
Appendix B: Prominent Persons and Organization
Glossary of Terms
Notes
Index
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Introduction and Rationale
Part I. Terrorism: A Conceptual Review
1. Terrorism: First Impressions
First Considerations
Conceptual Considerations: Understanding Political Violence
The Past as Prologue: Historical Perspectives on Terrorism
Terrorism and Criminal Skill: Three Cases From the Modern Era
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Total War
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
2. The Nature of the Beast: Defining Terrorism
Understanding Extremism: The Foundation of Terrorism
Defining Terrorism: An Ongoing Debate
A Definitional Problem: Perspectives on Terrorism
The Political Violence Matrix
Case in Point: The Orlando Mass Shooting- An Act of Terrorism and a Hate Crime
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Cold War Revolutionaries
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
3. Beginnings: The Causes of Terrorism
Political Violence as Strategic Choice
Political Violence as the Fruit of Injustice
Moral Justifications for Political Violence
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Bloody Sunday and Black September
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
Part II. The Terrorists
4. Terror From Above: Terrorism by the State
The State as Terrorist: A State Terrorism Paradigm
Violence Abroad: Terrorism as Foreign Policy
Violence at Home: Terrorism as Domestic Policy
The Problem of Accountability: Monitoring State Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Authoritarianism and Democracy
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
5. Terror From Below: Terrorism by Dissidents
The Rebel as Terrorist: A Dissident Terrorism Paradigm
Warring Against the State: Antistate Dissident Terrorism
Warring Against a People: Communal Terrorism
Operational Shifts: Dissidents and the New Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: The Tamil Tigers
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
6. Violence in the Name of the Faith: Religious Terrorism
Primary and Secondary Motives: The Idiosyncratic Quality of Religious Terrorism
Historical Cases in Point: Fighting, Dying, and Killing in the Name of the Faith
State-Sponsored Religious Terrorism in the Modern Era
Dissident Religious Terrorism in the Modern Era
The Future of Religious Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: The One True Faith
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
7. Violent Ideologies: Terrorism From the Left and Right
Reactionaries and Radicals: The Classical Ideological Continuum
Left-Wing Ideologies and Activism
Class Struggle and National Liberation: The Terrorist Left
Right-Wing Activism and Extremism
Race and Order: The Terrorist Right
Violent Ideologies in the New Era of Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box 7.1: Young Nationalist Idealists
Discussion Box 7.2: Order From Chaos 194 On Your Own
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
8. Terrorist Spillovers: International Terrorism
Defining International Terrorism
Globalized Revolution: Reasons for International Terrorism
Globalized Solidarity: International Terrorist Networks
The International Dimension of the New Terrorism
Postscript: The "Stateless Revolutionaries"
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Understanding Terrorist "Spillovers": Middle Eastern and North African Spillovers in Europe
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
9. Emerging Terrorist Environments: Gender-Selective Political Violence and Criminal Dissident Terrorism
Culture and Conflict: Gender-Selected Victims of Terrorist Violence
Protecting the Enterprise: Criminal Dissident Terrorism
A Global Problem: Regional Cases of Criminal Dissident Terrorism
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Political Violence Against Women: Gender Communal Terrorism?
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
Part III. The Terrorist Trade and Counterterrorism
10. Tools of the Trade: Tactics and Targets of Terrorists
The Purpose: Terrorist Objectives
The Means: Terrorist Methods
The Focus: Terrorist Targets
The Outcome: Is Terrorism Effective?
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Attacks Against the U.S. Marine and French Paratrooper Headquarters in Beirut
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
11. The Information Battleground: Terrorist Violence and the Role of the Media
Two Perspectives: The Media and Governments
Understanding the Role of the Media
A New Battleground: The War for the Information High Ground
The Public's Right to Know: Regulating the Media
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Freedom of Reporting and Security Issues
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
12. The American Case: Terrorism in the United States
An Introduction to the American Case
Background to Terrorism: Left-Wing Activism and Ideological Extremism in America
Left-Wing Terrorism in the United States
Background to Terrorism: Right-Wing Activism and Ideological Extremism in America
Right-Wing Terrorism in the United States
International Terrorism in the United States
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Domestic Terrorism in the American Context
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
Part IV. Securing the Homeland
13. Counterterrorism: The Options
Responding to Terror: The Scope of Options
Warlike Operations: Counterterrorism and the Use of Force
Operations Other Than War: Repressive Options
Operations Other Than War: Conciliatory Options
Applying the Rule of Law: Legalistic Options
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: The Utility of Elite Counterterrorist Units
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
14. A New Era: Homeland Security
Homeland Security in Perspective
The American Case: Homeland Security in the United States
Civil Liberties and Securing the Homeland
Chapter Summary
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: After the Next 9/11
On Your Own
Recommended Websites
Web Exercise
Recommended Readings
15. What Next? The Future of Terrorism
An Overview of Near-Term Projections
The Future of Terrorism: Terrorist Environments in the 21st Century
The Future of Terrorism: New Threats
Controlling Terrorism: Ending Terrorist Campaigns and New Challenges
Final Considerations: Terrorism in the United States
Chapter Summary
A Final Thought
Key Terms and Concepts
Prominent Persons and Organizations
Discussion Box: Toward Big Brother?
On Your Own
Recommended Readings
Appendix A: Map References
Appendix B: Prominent Persons and Organization
Glossary of Terms
Notes
Index